Yoshida Koriyama Castle [Castle Special Topic Japanese History]

[Castle name]
Yoshida koriyama castle
The residence of Mr. Mouri before they moved to Hiroshima Castle.

[Description]
Yoshida Koriyama Castle is a mountain castle located in Yoshida, Yoshida Town, Takada City, Aki, Hiroshima Province. The castle built year is unknown, but it is said that it was built by Mouri Tokichika.

At that time Koriyama Castle was one of the local people’s pavilion. The 12th master [Mouri Motonari] became the castle owner and started renovating the castle. As a former local ruler, Mouri sent his second son [Motoharu] to Mr. Yoshikawa, and third son [Takashige] to Mr. Kobayakawa, and gradually expanded their influence while continued to follow Mr. Ouchi of the West and Mr. Namago.

Tenmon 9 year (1540), when Motonari went to sleep at Mr. Ouchi’s place, Amago Haruhisa attacked with 30000 soldiers and he repulsed them gracefully. (Battle of Yoshida Koriyama) Koriyama Castle is thought to be greatly renovated around that time.
After this battle, Mr. Ouchi was betrayed by his vassal [Sue Harutaka], he gained the domination by adopting a young kid as an adopted child of Mr. Ouchi. Moronari thought it was a time, so he led Sue Harutaka’s army to Itsuku Island, and attacked by a small number of soldiers.

The action of Motonari was quick, he suppressed [Sanbonmatsu Castle]. In addition, he started to attack [Amago Yoshihisa].

From Eiroku 5 year (1562) to Eiroku 8 year (1565), Motonari enclosed Amago but eventually he surrendered Yoshihisa, and united Sanin. Because of that, Mr. Mouri was awarded 1200000 stones and became Daimyo.
After Motonari died, his grandson son Terumoto inherited. Hashiba Hideyoshi (Toyotomi Hideyoshi) dominated the country, and Mr. Mouri joined Toyotomi. In addition, along with Maeda Toshiie, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Uesugi Kagekatsu, Ukitashi Hideie were appointed five general officers.

On the other hand, Yoshida Koriyama Castle is located in the mountains and it is inconvenient for transportation, a new castle was built in Hiroshima. Tensho 19 year (1591), Hiroshima Castle was almost completed, Mr. Mouri, businessmen, own people all moved to Hiroshima Castle. Yoshida Koriyama Castle was abandoned.

However, it seems that after the relocation of Hiroshima Castle, Yoshida Koriyama castle was also being used. When entering Tokugawa Period, Keicho 20 year (1614), Yoshida Koriyama Castle was abandoned due to One Country One Castle Policy.